The last trade marked mixed feelings for Wizards fans. Long time favorite Caron Butler is traded to the Mavericks today as well as other key pieces such as Brendan Haywood and DeShawn Stevenson. The coming month will also signal the departure of Antawn Jamison.
It’s sad to see these fan favorites go but their current record of only 17-33 is a harsh reminder that this dismantling had to happen. The worst thing about this is that only after the Gilbert Arenas incident with Javaris Crittenton did management feel compelled to do anything. Gilbert was never going to be the same way he was back in his heyday scoring close to 30 points per game. His knee is banged up and will never be a threat driving to the basket as he was before. He can only rely on mid range jumpers and his 3 point marksmanship is feeling a little rust after the 2 year layoff.
In the 7 player swap with the Mavericks, the Wizards were able to get expiring contracts. With this firesale we can assume that they will try and get one of the big free agents available this season. We can also assume that they will be gearing up for a run at the #1 pick in the NBA Lottery. Such is the fate of a team willing to roll the dice to be truly competitive. It’s ironic to see competitiveness and tanking the season in the same mindset but that’s what you have to do to win a championship sometimes. All it takes are 2 or 3 great stars and suddenly the basketball gods might be smiling at you again.
Now that last decade’s Wizards have come in gone, it’s only proper to reflect on what they have accomplished. The Wizards were able to string playoff appearances that seemed to rejuvenate the once ailing Wizards team. This included a couple great moments such as the dagger Gilbert Arenas launched against the Bulls in their first playoff series win in a very long time. It also marked an entertaining albeit brief rivalry with the Cavaliers and a hatred of Lebron James’ whiny, crab dribbling ways amongst the Wizards fanatics. It culminated in one of the greatest Wizards seasons of all time, since the great Wes Unseld led the Bullets to their only NBA title. Gilbert was receiving chants of MVP in DC, he also was able to put up an entertaining performance of 60 pts against his hometown Lakers. Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison were playing lights out basketball that propelled them to All Star appearances. The Wizards were an offensive juggernaut that was entertaining to watch and it produced a great series with the Cavaliers. This trio (and before Butler it was Larry Hughes) showed the last Wizards trio (Howard, Webber, Strickland) what basketball should really be played like. It was spectacular, wonderful and to that I and all of the Wizards fanbase would like to say “Thank You”.
